Postpartum endometritis

Postpartum endometritis or a surgical site infection should be suspected if the patient develops an elevated oral temperature, 100.4 degrees F or higher, with an associated tachycardia following the procedure. A tachycardia paralleling the temperature strongly indicates infection. A thorough examination should be performed. Patients failing to respond to initial antibiotic therapy should be thoroughly evaluated for the possible emergence of a resistant bacterium or the development of an abscess or septic pelvic thrombosis. Antibiotic therapy should be continued until the patient is afebrile for 24 to 48 hours, the white blood cell count returns to normal, and the patient is tolerating oral liquids and solids, and ambulating without difficulty.